GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES OF INDIGENOUS PIGS (SUS DOMESTICUS) IN OBEAGU - UNO OF ENUGU SOUTH ENUGU STATE

Abstract

Intestinal parasites have a significant impact on productivity of pigs. Additionally, presence of zoonotic parasites in pig faeces used as fertilizer and ingestion of raw or undercooked pork products originated from parasite-infested pigs pose a risk to human health. The parasite challenges in pig production in Nigeria causes substantial reproductive losses, poor reproductive performance and production in swine industry. The study was to estimate the prevalence and diversity of gastrointestinal parasites of pigs at Obeagu Uno. About 164 faecal samples of pigs were collected, samples collected were evaluated microscopically for different prevalence of gastro intestinal parasites in pigs. A prevalence of 51.2 % was observed as overall species prevalence in the fecal samples analysed. Ascaris suum 13.4%, Trichuris spp 5.48%; Balantidium spp 10.4%; Blastocystis spp 6.70%, Strongyloides spp 8.53% and Oesophagostomum spp 6.70%. there is a need for combined efforts to control parasites infections for optimum production of pigs and prevention of zoonotic helminthiasis, hence,  pigs harbour a higher prevalence and greater diversity of gastrointestinal parasites.